The Band
The Rolling Stones is an English rock band formed in 1962. Since the passing of their drummer Charlie Watts, the band remains a three-member group, and the rest of the players are session musicians (Steve Jordan on drums), other musicians invited or themselves playing different instruments.
These guys have been playing for 61 years, being the most longevity rock band, and for me, the best rock band ever.
Band Members
- Mick Jagger – singer, guitar, percussion, harmonica
- Keith Richards – guitar, bass guitar
- Ronnie Wood – guitar, bass guitar
The Album
Hackney Diamonds is the 24th studio album by The Rolling Stones. It was released on October 20, 2023. The album counts the participation of musical legends such as Elton John, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and a former Rolling Stones, their ex-bassist Bill Wyman.
It’s their first original album since A Bigger Bang (2005). And their first album since the passing of their legendary drummer, Charlie Watts, in 2021 (who contributed to some songs of this album).
18 years without new Stones music, because Blue & Lonesome (2016) was a blues covers album.
The album’s name (Hackney Diamonds) refers to London slang for the glass remains after a burglar breaks into a house. Hackney also is an area of London that has a high crime rate.
The Songs
1. Angry, it’s the first song of the album and the first single. Starts with a classic guitar riff by Keith Richards. It’s immediately recognizable and relatable to The Stones. Followed by Mick Jagger‘s voice and a good guitar solo after.
He tells her to not get angry with him.
The music video is starred by the actress Sydney Sweeney.
2. Get Close (feat. Elton John), is a good rock love song. Elton John plays the piano here.
3. Depending On You, it is a nice power ballad. She left, and now she’s with a new lover. He misses her. Good guitar solo.
4. Bite My Head Off (feat. Paul McCartney). Hard rock song, very energetic. Love the guitar solo. Paul McCartney plays the bass. He’s fighting with his romantic interest.
5. Whole Wide World. Rock song about going forward in spite of difficulties or going against all odds. It has two guitar solos.
6. Dreamy Skies. An acoustic guitar blues. He wants to disconnect and move to another place, somewhere new.
7. Mess It Up. Rocker song but with a more pop 60s vibe. It’s about a girl that’s messing up his life. He asks her to leave him alone, he’s not going to mess his life up because of her.
8. Live by the Sword (feat. Elton John). If you live a wildlife, you’re going to end up badly, but he can protect her. A rocker track with a great guitar solo and a classic Stones sound. Elton John plays a honky tonk style of piano.
9. Driving Me Too Hard. A rocker ballad. He begs her to treat him in a nicer way because she’s driving him apart.
10. Tell Me Straight. A soft ballad on which Keith Richards sings. He asks her if she wants to be with him or not. Sweet guitar solo.
11. Sweet Sounds of Heaven (feat. Lady Gaga & Stevie Wonder). A blues with a gospel vibe. Lady Gaga gives this church choir vibe to the song, while Stevie Wonder brings a gospel type of keyboard. It’s about someone’s last moments. A beautiful, emotional ballad with an epic soul jam ending.
12. Rolling Stone Blues (Muddy Waters). This is a classic blues from 1948. It’s a cover of the blues legend Muddy Waters, it was his first single and The Rolling Stones got their name off this tune.
Final Thoughts
I liked the album. It brings back the classic Stones sound, that mixes blues and rock, good guitar riffs by Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, contagious choruses, and the iconic Mick Jagger‘s voice, (besides including other music legends on this album).
This album proves that they’re the biggest rock band and that they still have what it takes to rock our brains out.
There’s no age to rock. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, as long as you keep the right heart, attitude, and mind.
Tracklist
- Angry
- Get Close (feat. Elton John)
- Depending On You
- Bite My Head Off (feat. Paul McCartney)
- Whole Wide World
- Dreamy Skies
- Mess It Up
- Live by the Sword (feat. Elton John)
- Driving Me Too Hard
- Tell Me Straight
- Sweet Sounds of Heaven (feat. Lady Gaga & Stevie Wonder)
- Rolling Stone Blues